Four Ohio Men Charged for Supporting al-Qaeda in Yemen

Federal authorities charged four men in Ohio for conspiring to raise money and aid for Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch and its former member, U.S.-born Anwar al-Awlaki.

Yahya Farooq Mohammad, 37; Ibrahim Zubair Mohammad, 36; Asif Ahmed Salim, 35; and Sultane Room Salim, 40, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, one count of providing material support and resources to terrorists and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Farooq Mohammad and Ibrahim Mohammad both face an additional count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

“The charges in this case outline a plan to send thousands of dollars to a known terrorist, a plan which came to fruition shortly before one of the most notorious attempted attacks in recent memory – an attack supported by that same terrorist,” explained U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach. “This indictment is a testament to the perseverance of those who stand watch over our nation and is a clear message to those who support terrorism – we will not forget and you will face justice.”

Awlaki headed al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) until 2011 when a U.S. drone strike killed him.

The indictment states that the two sets of brothers attempted to support Awlaki and al-Qaeda between January 2005 and January 2012. It also says that Farooq Mohammad traveled to Yemen from Ohio with two other men, but did not meet Awlaki. Instead, they handed $22,000 to an associate for the domestic terrorist. The government claims the men supported AQAP to encourage “violent jihad against the U.S. and the U.S. military in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world.”

“It should be a clear message to people thinking about engaging in these acts that we are going to stick with it, we are going to overcome hurdles and you are going to face justice in an American court no matter how long it takes,” continued Dettelbach.